I'm building two new sets of mountain bike 26" wheels, and I'm wondering what to go with. Both are double walled rims, so in addition to the standard rim tape and strips, I can use a product like VeloPlugs.

Here's my current understanding:

VeloPlugs

Most expensive ($7 / wheel)

Reusable

Lightest (~5g)

Double Walled Rims only

Have to measure spoke holes in double wall (8mm vs 8.5-9.3mm)

May lose them when changing tubes, so carry extras on rides

Rim Strips

Mid-range price ($4 / wheel)

Reusable

Rim Tape

Cheapest (~$3 / wheel)

Won't slide around like Rim Strips

Weight (~20g)

Glue may prevent nipples from loosening in single walled rims

Won't slide around on rim

Most common / available

What are other points or guiding factors in selecting which to use? I'm not concerned with price and availability, I'll wait/pay for the best option. I'm leaning toward VeloPlugs for dual walled rims and rim tape for single walled.

Furthermore, if anyone has used VeloPlugs before, how do you find the diameter of the spoke holes when the rim manufacturers doesn't publish it? Just wait until the rims are in hand and measure with a caliper?

10 Answers
10

I just recieved veloplugs today for the wheels i am building and i must say that i like the design and the fit. I measured the holes inside the rim and they were exactly 8mm so i went with the same 8mm model plugs. If you dont know yours you will definetley have to remove your tire and tube and peel back the tape to get a good measurement. I weighed the tape used on my old rims and it weighed 36 grams from both. I forget the exact math but it was almost a full 30 grams i would be saving on rotational wheel weight and the fit actually gives me confidence to go with a lighter tube due to less concern of pinching on install with rim tape.

Did I miss any advantages/disadvantages? If I did, please add them to your answer. You only lost plugs while changing tubes, right? (FYI they claim to have addressed that issue in the newer versions, red being for 8mm holes and yellow for 8.5-9.3mm holes. However, the rims I'm buying don't state their hole diameter, nor do most rim specifications)
–
EhrykApr 4 '12 at 6:24

No, you pretty much covered it, except for the glue residue from rim tape, and having to clean the rim to re-apply, and possibly the ease of install as a negative for Velox style rim tape. It's not difficult, but takes a bit of practice.
–
zenbike♦Apr 4 '12 at 6:35

High pressure rim tape is elastic and doesn't have a sticky backing, right? If it's the stuff I'm thinking of, it's great and doesn't slide around like ordinary cloth rim tape can.
–
amcnabbJan 19 '14 at 19:21

When I bought the carbon 50mm wheels, I put on the yellow velo plugs. I had more plugs than necessary and I made sure the plugs fit snugly into each hole. Some plugs didn't. But I had enough plugs to choose from. Its been over 2 years and I have not experienced any loss of plugs. During those 2 years I had numerous punctures, front and rear and a change of tires as well.

You left out reinforced plastic/rubber type strips. Kore Chastity Belt strips are my favorite and rated for 140psi. Very durable. FSA, Origin8, etc also make this type, available in many common sizes. Price ranges from $2.50 - $4 each.

I do like cloth tape, but the adhesive can dry out (even before purchase). Velox is $5 a piece at my shop.

Rubber rim strips are junk in my opinion, definitely a last choice. They are commonly the cheapest and sell for $1 each at my shop.

Rim tape can actually slip, slowly, due to heat and/or mechanical stresses (rolling of the wheel, twisted tube), but would be my choice, since they're not elastic (accept high pressures well) and can't damage the tubes.

Rim strips are very fine, but their edges might become hard with aging, and I have had some flats due to cuts in the innertubes caused by these edges.

Have never used plugs (actually didn't know they existed), so cannot tell about them.

Or you can use cheap plastic adhesive tape, usually two to five layers. It's cheaper and lighter than any of the above, but it doesn't last especially long. It helps if you de-burr and round off the edges of the spoke holes. After a while you will start getting punctures where the tape has given way and the tube gets cut by the spoke holes. I was surprised to find that even two layers worked in MTB tyres at ~60psi. When every gram counts this is what I've done. It also works as a desperate measure when you fix a flat and the existing fix is damaged.

Rim tape also comes in plastic variants that are lighter, last longer and cost more than rubber ones. Often with tapered edges (you really only need it to cover the spoke holes), but they're still heaver than rim tape and costs more.

In real life (rather than for one race) I use rim tape. It's cheap, easy to get, lasts ages and it works.

Not durable enough to do the job of rim tape. And as you noted, it degrades too fast, even if you layer it up enough to protect your tubes. Also leaves a weird, slimy, sticky residue behind when it is removed, and doesn't stay in place well either.
–
zenbike♦Apr 4 '12 at 5:17

tyre manufacturers recommend to change the rim tape each time you change a tyre. Plastic rim tapes actually get damaged after a few thousands km under high pressure and I hate rim cloth that get soaked with water under rain. I have been using veloplugs for a year now and I am very happy with this system. Easy to install, light weight, and above all very safe. Also makes tyre mounting much easier. Just remember to put a few spares in your saddle bag when you ride, in case you loose one when fixing a flat on the side of the road

Welcome to stackexchange. It's not a discussion format but rather a question and answer format, so answering with questions isn't really an answer. Reviewing the FAQ would probably be helpful.
–
Carey GregoryApr 13 '13 at 22:36

3M duct tape, 3 layers at least (cut to fit). Alternative: 3M super 88 electrical tape. Again layers of it. These are just poor mans solution in an isolated place but with a hardware store around. If you have good LBS stores nearby, get the best recommended.

I use the veloplugs, but for touring and commuting I put a strip of vinyl electrical tape over the top of them so I don't lose plugs when changing tires. On a low pressure tire I don't have a big preference.

Welcome to Bicycles SE. This answer would be better if you explained the reasoning behind your preference for velo plugs, as well as the reason that you have less of a preference for low pressure tires.
–
jimirings♦Mar 29 '14 at 18:32